A priority for me today is to make sure my brother knows I didn't forget his b-day!! So I 'd like to begin today's post with HAPPY B-DAY ART!!!! May today be wonderful and special and all things beautiful (don't worry, I won't mention how OLD you are!! ;-) Love 'ya lots!!

Now, I'd like to share some thoughts with you:

I want to thank everyone who has been faithfully reading my journal (or blog as it may be referred to). I particularly appreciate it because I often can't get another post written for awhile. Yet, my head is FULL of exciting ideas because the days are so full of God's grace, beauty, faithfulness, guidance and just when I need it most.....comfort. My head fills with thoughts to write and my heart overflows with gratitude and a deep, deep love for Him. Yet the hours tick by (actually, they FLY by!) and before I know it, evening arrives and I get "writer's block." Absolutely blank--my brain is done!

As much as I'm eager to write often, I am learning to recognize that the writer's block at the end of the day is likely a gift from the Lord. I always wake up fresh and ready for a new day and I believe it's because I'm learning to listen to my body and especially my brain (which basically tells the rest of my body what to do). When I take time to rest during the day, I can only rest....I cannot sleep because of the meds I'm on. However, I find great benefit from lying down, closing my eyes, and if need be, plugging in my ear bugs. Blocking out stimuli, visual and audible, enables my brain and body to recharge for about 15-20 minutes which really does make a difference!

I am so aware that my situation is not much different than other folks, particularly those with brain injury, strokes, or other types of disabilities/health challenges. I want to emphasize the benefits of taking time to catch your breath during this busy season. Let others help when they offer, even if they do things differently than you would. When you do this two gifts are exchanged: the gift of giving on their end, and the gift of receiving on yours. Isn't that exactly what God did when He sent His Son into the world?He gave us the most precious gift of all, but we must receive that precious gift with an open heart.

I want to really encourage you to step back, count your blessings each day (writing them down can boggle your mind!), and thank God for the value, worth and purpose of your life.....just as it is. Let His grace wash over you and let His Son's birth saturate your heart with awe and holiness.

Start a new tradition this year.....make time to rest, find time to seek the King, and let His peace set the pace for your life this Christmas.

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